Shuhan

Within the heavy walls of the Luoyang Imperial Palace, Crown Prince Liu Si walked out of the Queen's bedroom in hurried steps.

The afterglow of the setting sun elongated his figure and gilded his gorgeous prince's robe with a layer of gold.

At this moment, although his heart was slightly rippled by his mother's worry, it was more filled with the heavy responsibility he was about to shoulder, and he could not afford to slack off for a moment.

The breeze blew gently, ruffling his hair, as if trying to calm the turmoil in his heart, but his eyes remained firm and his steps never stopped.

The East Palace, like a miniature imperial court, sits solemnly and majestically in a corner of the imperial palace.

The vermilion palace walls are tall and majestic, as if telling the glory and heritage of the royal family.

In front of the palace gate, two guards dressed in bright armor, holding spears, stood tall like two statues. Their eyes showed vigilance and loyalty as they guarded this noble world.

Liu Si walked through the palace gate and stepped into the courtyard of the East Palace. The courtyard was full of exotic flowers and plants, swaying gently in the breeze, as if cheering for his arrival.

However, Liu Si had no intention of appreciating the beautiful scenery. His eyes were firmly fixed on the main hall, and his steps were eager and steady.

The main hall was brightly lit.

Guan Xing, the prince's household steward, had already received the news and was leading a group of officials from the Eastern Palace waiting anxiously.

Guan Xing was wearing a black robe and a belt inlaid with beautiful jade around his waist, looking very heroic.

He has a handsome face, and his eyes are shrewd and capable. As Guan Yu's son, he inherited his father's bravery and wisdom, and enjoys a high prestige among the officials of the Eastern Palace.

His fingers tapped unconsciously on the table, making a rhythmic sound, revealing his inner anxiety.

The other officials were either whispering to each other or frowning, and the air was filled with a tense and depressing atmosphere.

Some were discussing in low voices the difficulty of measuring the fields, while others were secretly pondering how to deal with the situation.

Liu Si strode into the main hall, and everyone immediately knelt down in unison, saying in a loud voice: "Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

Liu Si raised his hand slightly, signaling everyone to stand up. He slowly swept his eyes across everyone's faces and said solemnly, "Everyone, my father has ordered me to go to Youzhou to preside over the land survey."

His voice was deep and powerful, echoing in the hall, as if carrying an invisible pressure.

As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar in the hall. Some officials were rubbing their hands excitedly, their eyes flashing with eagerness, as if they saw an opportunity to make achievements.

Their faces were filled with anticipation, as if they had already imagined the scene of achieving great things in Youzhou.

Some of them frowned and looked worried, knowing that the task of transferring land was fraught with difficulties and was by no means an easy one.

There was worry in their eyes, and images of the resistance of Youzhou's powerful men and the complicated situation kept appearing in their minds.

"Your Highness." A young officer stepped forward and said with a bow.

"The Youzhou land transfer project is facing fierce resistance from powerful people and is fraught with danger. In my humble opinion, we should decline the offer from Your Majesty to avoid getting into trouble."

He had a handsome face and his voice carried a hint of nervousness and uneasiness.

His hands trembled slightly, as if he was afraid that making this suggestion would anger the prince, but he had to consider the prince's safety.

As soon as he finished speaking, another official immediately retorted: "That's wrong! Your Highness is the crown prince, and this is a great opportunity to share His Majesty's worries and show your talents. If you refuse at this time, won't you be ridiculed by the world? We should face the challenge head-on, give His Highness advice, and overcome the difficulties together."

This officer was a big man with a full beard, a voice as loud as a bell, and a look of determination and courage in his eyes. He waved his hands vigorously, as if to show everyone his determination.

Everyone was arguing, their faces red.

Liu Si listened quietly with a calm expression, but he was thinking rapidly in his heart.

This land measurement issue concerns the foundation of the Han Dynasty. His father entrusted him with this important task, which was both a trust and a test.

If he declined, he would not only disappoint his father's expectations, but also affect his prestige in the court; if he accepted, the road ahead would be full of thorns, and if he was not careful, he might fail.

His eyes darted back and forth among the crowd, trying to find a hint of inspiration and support from their words and expressions.

After a moment, Liu Si raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet. His voice was steady and firm: "It is impossible to refuse. The only option is to face the challenge head-on. You are all my confidants. I hope that you can work together to prepare for the trip to Youzhou to farm and offer me advice and suggestions."

His eyes revealed an unquestionable determination, as if announcing to everyone that no matter how many difficulties and obstacles there were ahead, he would move forward courageously. He straightened his spine, put his hands behind his back, and showed the majesty and responsibility of a crown prince.

Guan Xing stepped forward, bowed and said: "Your Highness, the powerful forces in Youzhou are intertwined. If we want to successfully farm the land, we must first find out their details and divide and disintegrate their alliances." He frowned slightly, his eyes full of thought, as if he was outlining a clear strategic map in his mind.

"What the housekeeper said is absolutely right." Liu Si nodded slightly, his eyes full of approval.

"We also need to stabilize the people's hearts and let them know that the land allocation is for their welfare, and win their support. Only in this way can we gain a firm foothold in Youzhou."

His voice was firm and powerful, and every word seemed to be a reassurance, which gradually dissipated the anxiety in the hearts of his subordinates.

At this time, an official who looked like a counselor said: "Your Highness, in my opinion, we might as well set up a temporary shogunate in Youzhou, select local virtuous people as officials, and use their power to implement the land measurement. This will not only help us understand the local situation, but also reduce the resistance of the people."

He was wearing a gray robe, with a thin face and a wise look in his eyes. He narrowed his eyes slightly, as if thinking about every detail of the plan.

After hearing this, Liu Si's eyes lit up and he said, "This is a great plan! Also, we need to strengthen our ties with the generals in the army to ensure that we can get strong support in case of emergencies."

Everyone nodded in agreement, and then a heated discussion ensued about the specific details of the field transfer.

From how to inventory the land and count the population to how to deal with the resistance of the powerful and ensure the safety of officials, every issue has been analyzed and discussed in depth.

Some people suggested using bribery to win over some powerful people, while others suggested strengthening the training of officials to improve their ability to respond.

Unknowingly, night has fallen.

Outside the hall, a bright moon hung high in the sky, casting a cool glow. The moonlight shone through the window onto everyone, adding a touch of tranquility to the heated discussion.

Inside the hall, the lights were still bright, and the sound of people's discussions continued one after another.

Liu Si looked at the group of loyal officials in front of him and felt a warm feeling in his heart.

The journey to Youzhou was full of difficulties, but with their support, he seemed to have endless strength.

"Everyone, it's getting late. Let's go back and rest. We will continue the discussion tomorrow morning."

Liu Si looked at the tired but motivated faces of the people and was deeply moved. There was a hint of fatigue in his voice, but more of concern for his subordinates.

Everyone bowed and left, and the hall gradually became quiet.

Liu Si stood alone in front of the window, looking at the bright moon outside, his thoughts drifting far away.
-
The next morning, the sunlight shone through the window onto Liu Si's face.

He got up early, washed up simply, and went to the study.

Crown Prince Liu Si was wearing a black robe with golden dragon patterns embroidered on the corners and a belt inlaid with beautiful jade. He stood upright in the middle of the study with a solemn look. He knew that it was difficult to farm in Youzhou, so he specially summoned Sima Yi and Fei Yi today, hoping to find a way out from these two think tanks.

Soon, Sima Yi and Fei Yi walked into the study.

Sima Yi had a thin figure, and his grey robe made his face look even more stern, with his hawk-like eyes showing shrewdness and depth.

Although he was not favored by the Han Emperor Liu Chan in these years, his inner ambitions never diminished. This time he was reused by the prince, and his eyes could not hide his excitement and desire.

Fei Yi had a gentle face, dressed neatly in a blue official uniform, and his every move showed his calmness and elegance. As an important official in the court, he was also worried about the situation in Youzhou.

After the three of them exchanged greetings, Liu Si raised his hand to signal the two to sit down, and spoke impatiently: "You two, I am entrusted with the important task of measuring the farmland in Youzhou this time. I know that the road ahead will be difficult, so I specially invite you two to come here, hoping that you can offer good advice and help me."

His eyes were full of anticipation as he stared at the two of them.

Sima Yi bowed slightly, a determined smile appeared on his lips, and he cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, I have been doing business in Youzhou for many years and have accumulated a lot of connections. Among them are many knowledgeable people who have long been dissatisfied with the actions of the local tyrants. I am willing to write a letter to persuade them to serve as your Highness's internal support. These people are familiar with the terrain of Youzhou and the forces of all parties. At the critical moment, they will definitely be used by Your Highness to turn the tide."

As he spoke, his eyes flickered with confidence, as if he had seen the scenes of those traitors working for the prince in Youzhou.

Liu Si nodded slightly, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and asked anxiously: "Oh? If it is true, it is great! I wonder how reliable the person Zhongda is talking about is?"

He leaned forward, his eyes full of concern and inquiry.

Sima Yi narrowed his eyes slightly, thought for a moment and said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. These people have a deep friendship with me and are eager to change the status quo. Their loyalty to Your Highness is evident. I am willing to guarantee with my life that they will not disappoint Your Highness."

He straightened his back, spoke in a firm tone, and his expression was serious and solemn.

At this time, Fei Yi coughed lightly, leaned forward, and said slowly: "Your Highness, there are many barbarians in Youzhou, and the Xiongnu and Xianbei are eyeing the surrounding areas. However, this seemingly dangerous situation is not without hope. I think we can try to communicate with the Xiongnu and Xianbei, promise them benefits, and let them work for us, so as to jointly deal with the Youzhou tyrants who resist farming."

Liu Si frowned, with a hint of doubt in his eyes: "It's not easy to cooperate with the Xiongnu and Xianbei. They are ambitious and may be difficult to control."

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes filled with worry.

Fei Yi smiled and explained calmly: "Your Highness, although they are ambitious, they also have their own interests. Now they are facing many difficulties in surviving in the northern grasslands. If they can get the necessary supplies and support from the Han Dynasty from Youzhou, they will definitely be tempted. We just need to be clever and grasp the right measure, and we will be able to drive them to work for Your Highness."

His eyes were firm and his words were sincere, trying to dispel Liu Si's concerns.

Liu Si fell into deep thought, and after a moment he asked again: "Then according to Wen Wei, how can we make them aware of the benefits of cooperation, and how can we ensure that they keep their promises?"

He stared at Fei Yi with burning eyes, expecting a satisfactory answer.

Fei Yi pondered for a moment and replied: "Your Highness, we can first send eloquent people to negotiate, to show our sincerity and strength, and at the same time promise them porcelain, cloth and other materials, as well as the title of our Han Dynasty. As for keeping promises, we can set up a supervision mechanism and send our personnel to supervise their actions. Once they breach the contract, we will immediately stop cooperation and punish them."

He spoke clearly and logically, his face showing confidence and composure.

Sima Yi then added: "Your Highness, in addition to relying on external forces, we also need to disintegrate the alliance of powerful people from within. Let the people of Youzhou understand the benefits of measuring land, and let them actively support us. Then the powerful people will be isolated and helpless."

He folded his hands in front of him, his eyes revealing a shrewd look.

After hearing this, Liu Si's eyes showed appreciation and he nodded heavily: "You two are right. I am somewhat confident. When we go to Youzhou, I hope you two will work together with me and live up to my father's trust."

He stood up, put his hands behind his back, his face full of determination.

Sima Yi and Fei Yi quickly stood up and saluted: "We will do our best to assist Your Highness in completing the land reclamation project."

The two men spoke in loud voices, their eyes full of loyalty and a sense of mission.

Liu Si looked out the window and began to outline a blueprint for action in Youzhou in his mind. With the strategies of these two people, he had more confidence and courage to face the upcoming challenges.

At this time, in the East Palace Hall.

The officials have arrived one after another. Although there is a trace of fatigue on their faces, their eyes are full of energy.

Some were discussing new ideas they had last night with people around them, while others were organizing the materials in their hands.

"Your Highness, I thought about it carefully last night and came up with a solution."

Guan Xing stepped forward and said, "We can hold a grand banquet in Youzhou and invite local powerful people and officials to attend. At the banquet, we can show the strength and sincerity of the court, while secretly observing their movements and looking for opportunities to divide them."

After hearing this, Liu Si nodded slightly and said, "This plan is feasible. However, we must ensure the safety of the banquet and not let those with ill intentions take advantage of it."

There was caution in his eyes, knowing that in this complex situation, any detail could determine success or failure.

Afterwards, everyone discussed the specific arrangements for the banquet. From the list of invited guests and the banquet dishes to security measures and conversation strategies during the table, every aspect was carefully planned.

They discussed how to display the majesty of the court at the banquet, how to deal with the powerful, and how to obtain useful information from their words.

In the following days, Liu Si and his officials made intensive preparations for their trip to Youzhou.

They collected a large amount of information about Youzhou, including the geographical environment, customs, distribution of powerful forces, etc., and made full preparations for the land measurement work.

Liu Si personally reviewed every piece of information, not missing any details. He repeatedly discussed strategies for dealing with various situations with his subordinates and constantly improved the plan.

Finally, the day of departure arrived.

In front of the East Palace gate, horse-drawn carriages were lined up neatly, loaded with various supplies.

Liu Si was wearing a black cloak and a golden crown, looking heroic.

He stood in front of the carriage, looking into the distance with a firm gaze, as if he had already seen the struggle and victory in Youzhou.

His eyes revealed confidence and determination, as if announcing his arrival to the distant Youzhou.

"Your Highness, everything is ready, we can set off." Guan Xing walked forward and said respectfully.

Liu Si nodded slightly, turned around and said to his subordinates: "Everyone, the journey to Youzhou is long and full of difficulties. But we shoulder the heavy trust of His Majesty and the future of the Han Dynasty. We must overcome all difficulties and complete the great cause of farming!"

His voice was passionate and powerful, echoing in the air, igniting the fighting spirit of his subordinates. He waved his hands, inspiring each of his subordinates.

"Yes, sir!" the officials shouted in unison, their voices resounding through the sky.

There was a determination on their faces, as if they were ready to face any challenge.

Amid the cheers of the crowd, Liu Si boarded the carriage and the convoy slowly drove out of the East Palace.

They will cross mountains and rivers and rush to Youzhou to take on the challenging task of farming.

And Liu Si will also write his own legend on this land.

The wheels rolled, raising a cloud of dust, as if telling of their lofty ambitions. (End of this chapter)